My name is Liliia Kolyadenko. I live in Kyiv with my husband, Vitaliy, and our cat, Muffin. On 24 February 2022, I was awakened by my husband’s shout: ‘Lilya, the war has started.’ From that moment on, our lives have been filled with constant stress and air‑raid alarms.
For many weeks we lived without electricity, heating or running water. Together with our neighbours, we created a shared space where we could cook a warm meal, charge our phones, and simply support one another. Our community truly became our family.
Over time, we also began helping others. We collect essential items for families who have lost their homes and take part in numerous local aid initiatives.
In our apartment, the shockwave from nearby rocket strikes damaged the walls, and fragments from one missile landed just 300 metres away. To this day, sudden loud noises still startle us. In those difficult moments, our cat Muffin has also been a source of comfort — our ‘little hero,’ who woke us up more than once even before the alarm sirens sounded.
Thanks to the support of the Keller Foundation, we feel that we are not alone. The assistance we received gives us the strength to face each new day and continue helping others in our community. We are deeply grateful for this support.
